Juarez Cityone of the 56 border ports from Mexico to the United States, has become a key point for migrants fleeing violence, poverty and political instability in their countries, seeking to enter the northern country with Mexico as a bridge.
The city has experienced a significant increase in the number of foreigners, and although the migratory flow has had ups and downs, the preference has remained for this border.
According to a survey by the Interdisciplinary Group on Immigration Issues in Ciudad Juárez (GITM), the city offers better infrastructure of shelters and care centers, shorter waiting times for programs such as “Stay in Mexico” and a safer route compared to more dangerous like Tamaulipas.
The survey of Foreign Migrants Seeking Asylum in Ciudad Juárez, carried out between May and September 2023 among 500 foreign migrants, revealed that 61% of the displaced were men and the majority were between 25 and 34 years old.
58.7% of respondents were Venezuelans, a change from 2022, when the majority were Hondurans. Additionally, 54.1% sold assets to finance their trip and 47.1% acquired debt.
36% of migrants do not know what to do if their asylum request is rejected, and 20.2% plan to stay in Ciudad Juárez.
Foreign migrants arrived in Ciudad Juárez primarily by bus, on foot, or by train, seeking support networks and resources available in the city.
Last Monday, a group of at least 50 migrants arrived in railroad cars. Despite official warnings, many migrants continue to travel aboard the train to evade the surveillance of the INM and the National Guard, as well as the dangers of organized crime.
“It’s the same as always; This arrival of migrants by train is new in the region, but has been used for years with La Bestia; It is dangerous, but it is a mechanism that the migrants themselves say is to evade surveillance points,” said Dr. Rodolfo Rubio Salas, research professor at El Colegio de Chihuahua.
Changing immigration policies
The massive arrival of migrants to Ciudad Juárez has generated problems that have not been effectively addressed by the federal government. The lack of resources and support has led to migrants living in precarious conditions, even on the streets, exposed to danger.
“There are people who do not want to go to shelters and decide to be in a different condition,” emphasizes Dr. Rubio Salas. Despite the efforts of local organizations, both governmental and non-governmental, assistance is insufficient given the magnitude of the problem.
The expert suggests that robust public policies are needed to ensure decent conditions for migrants. However, the situation is aggravated by changing and reactive immigration policies of the United States that generate confusion and misinformation.
As of Wednesday, June 5, an order from the President of the United States, Joe Biden, based on sections “212(f)” and “215(a)” of the Immigration and Nationality Act, significantly restricts the asylum for the majority of applicants.
This proclamation allows border officials to quickly expel people who arrive without a hearing if border “encounters” exceed an average of 2,500 people for seven consecutive days.
However, on June 12, a coalition of migrant advocacy groups filed a lawsuit to stop this measure.
They argue that the new policy is almost identical to a proposal during Donald Trump’s presidency, which was blocked by the courts. This legal action seeks to stop the application of the order that, according to defenders, practically suspends asylum applications at the southern border of the United States.
Gate 28
A group of at least 10 migrants crossed illegally into the United States through “gate 28” of the border wall, after paying approximately one million pesos to human traffickers.
According to videos and testimonies, each migrant paid around six thousand dollars for a “safe” crossing, with transportation to the interior of the United States.
The Chihuahua Prosecutor’s Office obtained a video of the crossing (which was replicated by this medium) while investigating a “consular services office” in Ciudad Juárez, where migrants are seen running towards a van in El Paso, Texas.
Following the release of the video, the Secretary General of the Government, Santiago de la Peña Grajeda, urged an investigation by the US authorities and the State Attorney General’s Office (FGE).
He stated that, although the Government of Chihuahua has no control over the opening of the border gate, the evidence suggests irregular activities that must be examined.
Binational coordination on migration issues is essential, and the investigation could shed light on who allows these illegal crossings. According to investigations by the State Attorney General’s Office (FGE), criminal groups use “stakes” to monitor and coordinate migrant crossings when authorities are distracted.
Latent danger in John Paul II
The area between Plaza de la Mexicanidad and the intersection with Francisco Villarreal Torres and Juan Pablo II has become high risk, affecting local residents and increasing vehicle thefts.
“One of my children goes running in the mornings on board and I am afraid that he could be intercepted by migrants or confused by United States authorities, as has already happened. At night they pass here in groups and leave clothes and bags of garbage lying around,” said a resident of the area between Arizona and Calzada del Río.
The Municipal Police, in coordination with US authorities, has intensified surveillance in this area through Operation Mirror, detecting methods used for illegal crossing, such as holes and ladders in the border wall.
Violence against migrants
Violence against migrants has increased, including kidnappings and homicides. According to data from the Chihuahua Special Operations and Anti-Kidnapping Prosecutor’s Office, in 2023, 35 cases of kidnapping of migrants were investigated, with 66 alleged perpetrators arrested.
“Desperation leads many migrants to hire ‘coyotes’, which exposes them to extortion and kidnappings. We recommend not depending on these criminal groups, waiting for their asylum requests to be attended to, although for many it is the only option,” warns Dr. Rubio Salas.
On April 31, state agents from the SWAT Unit rescued 104 migrants kidnapped at a home in Infonavit Casas Grandes. Last month, elements of Strategic and Anti-kidnapping Operations of the State Attorney General’s Office rescued 70 migrants from a house in the Zacatecas neighborhood.
13 were also rescued in the Manuel J. Clouthier, as well as 29 foreigners deprived of their liberty in the Rincones de Salvárcar neighborhood, according to data from the State Attorney General’s Office.
In addition, a Central American migrant identified as Douglas Alexander Varela Carias, 45, was the man beaten to death and found on May 17 on the shore of the Rio Grande, after trying to enter the United States.
#Migration #Juárez #crisis #resilience
